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Description

Don't stop at your rack when it comes to lightening your gear. Grab the Black Diamond VaporLock Carabiner to shave even more ounces.

The Black Diamond VaporLock Carabiner checks in at an ultralight 51grams (1.8oz) for climbers who want to make their gear as light as possible. In addition to weighing incredibly little, the VaporLock Carabiner also includes a keylock gate for snag-free operation. Black Diamond gave this locking 'biner a basket wide enough to allow you to use a Munter hitch on ropes up to 9.4mm during climbs where even the belay device seems excessive (or you dropped it).

Here's what others have to say...

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Solid Piece

I've been using BD gear for years, because it's durable and trustworthy. This piece is no exception! It's a great carabiner that is secure, not too large or too small, and without feeling like a leaded weight. The locking mechanism is super easy, love the security.

Comment on Micky W.'s review »

Nice and Secure!

Familiarity:
I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share

The VaporLock Screwgate made the final cut into my husbands climbing gear set up. The carabiner is solid without being too heavy, and the locking mechanism is great. I feel much more comfortable with a few of these in our gear!

Comment on Mitch Potter's review »

Why?

I see no reason to purchase this piece of gear. It saves a whole 5 GRAMS over the positron screwgate 56 grams. There is a negligible difference in size over the positron locker. It is advertised as pear-shaped rather than the positron off-set D shape. Hardly noticeable difference in geometry in terms of usage. Its 21 KN strength is weaker than the positron locker's 25 KN. So, my question is: WHY WOULD YOU EVER SPEND AN EXTRA 6 USD FOR THIS CARABINER? I did. And I still don't know why... People that say it is perfect for anchors: You really prefer saving those extra 5 grams per carabiner over the extra 6 USD per? If so, you are BD's favorite customer.

On a long alpine route that weight adds up. Imagine having to not only climb many pitches with that weight, but also having to carry the weight into the backcountry. Now imagine if you took 5 grams off the weight of everything in your pack. Now you've saved several pounds. If your approaches and routes aren't long, $6 might not be worth it, but if you're hauling that weight around for huge long days, I'd go for the weight savings.

As to your second point, the pear shape makes a carabiner infinitely easier to use with a Munter hitch and the larger radius of the basket gives less friction if it's being used as an anchor carabiner. Also, pear shaped carabiners are generally much heavier, in the realm of 80 grams, than the Vaporlock. Again, the Positron has it's place, as does the Vaporlock.

And your comment about the rated strength? 21kN v 25kN? Well the human spine breaks at about 10kN. If you're in a situation where the extra 4kN of strength on the Positron makes a difference, you've probably got bigger things to worry about.

While I appreciate your views as I can tell you have experience in these matters, I am compelled to follow up. My review focused on the fundamentals of a carabiner: Weight, Size, and Strength.

If you claim that $6 is worth 5 grams of weight savings (which you do), then you are spending $600 to save ONE POUND. Not many consumers can do that. Certainly not on the expeditions that you mention, with mounting logistical costs. Do some extra pull ups. Do some more squats and deadlifts. Maybe don't drink that extra beer or that soda.

As for the geometry, I stand by my previous statement: Hardly noticeable difference in geometry in terms of usage. There is a picture of one being used with a Gri-Gri... Says it all.

Strength: When you load a carabiner at an anchor point and there is greater than 90 degrees between the lines of the cordelettes/webbing running to the bolts/pro then the vector forces along those lines increase exponentially. This will result in forces on the carabiners and the lines being many times greater than the loads they support. Something to keep in mind when setting up your equalized anchor system. True, the extra 4 kN doesn't make the positron significantly better than the vaporlock, but it certainly doesn't make it worse.

At the end of the day it comes down to cost. I think it is a stupid buy but like I said, Black Diamond's favorite customers are out there.

Comment on J Miles's review »

Anchors away

Aren't those Positrons, not Vaporlocks? The Vaporlock is a pear shaped carabiner, not a D like those. Plus, you can see the 25 kN long axis strength rating stamped on the spine. Positrons are 25, Vaporlocks are 21.

Comment on Patrick Mulligan's review »

Initial impressions

January 2015: UPDATE: I used them round my crag in Austin and then out in Yosemite for 9 days of climbing. I have no replaced all my heavier large biners I mentioned below with these. LOVE THEM.

Original review: I bought these after a long-review of the different locking biners available. I have some BD positrons which are small and great for extending anchors, but heavy. I have some BD rock locks which I use primarily for belay. Like it but very heavy. These all worked fine when all I did was sport climbing. Now that I am hooked on trad and multi-pitch, as I added to my rack, I knew I had to think about weight. The VaporLock is what I landed on due to size, flexibility, and especially weight. I have used them belaying, anchoring, and extending anchors with slings and like it so far.

Comment on Patricio Berra's review »

A permanent attachment to my Grigri

Isn't that a Positron, not a Vaporlock? Vaporlocks are pear shaped - there's a slight outward curve in the middle of the spine. Positrons are a D shape like the one in your photo. You can also clearly see the 25 kN long axis strength rating stamped on the spine. Vaporlocks are 21 kN. Positrons are 25.

Comment on Danny M H's photo »

My new favorite

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Due to its design, the gate opens wider than most lockers and is smaller and lighter than most. I personally hate twist locks and the screwlock is very smooth and has never bound up on me. I've used these building anchors and have one that has become a permanent attachment to my Grigri.

Comment on Danny M H's review »

Great locker

This locker is awesome. Lightweight, small for racking and just the right size for anchors. I mainly use it for anchors while top roping, but I have used it to belay. This would not be my first choice in a belay carabiner, just due to its smaller size. I prefer the BD Rocklock because of its size, and it allows for a munter hitch in an emergency. Great carabiner to always have on the sling.

perfect with the ATC guide.

Comment on Jackson's review »

Another classic piece

Having worked at Black Diamond and used their products for many years, I can fully recommend the Vaprlock to anyone. I've seen them being made, go through QA, and have used them in my personal climbing adventures. They are light, durable, incredibly strong and the design behind them is second to none. There is a reason they win so many awards.